Best Places In The World To Retire

The most important things to know when living or retiring overseas is that you have to be adaptable and flexible. It’s the same for everybody.  You will be in a new and very nice environment. In many respects, it might be warmer and you might be outside more often. But there are things that will be different and aren’t done quite the same way as it did back in your country, so you just have to adapt.
 
If you’re inflexible, if you have to have things...

The most important things to know when living or retiring overseas is that you have to be adaptable and flexible. It’s the same for everybody.  You will be in a new and very nice environment. In many respects, it might be warmer and you might be outside more often. But there are things that will be different and aren’t done quite the same way as it did back in your country, so you just have to adapt.
 
If you’re inflexible, if you have to have things exactly one way or no other way, you’re going to have trouble anywhere you go.
 
So put adaptability and flexibility at the top of the list of things you need to pack when you come.

There are several internet service providers in Nicaragua and between them they have coverage over most of Nicaragua.  The Atlantic coast is where internet service availability may be sporadic or non existent. Otherwise, internet connections are fast and reliable.  It all depends on the service  you choose to contract from the provider. Most internet service providers will offer corporate and residential services.  Among them: Claro, IBW, Ideay, Amnet, Movistar.

There are several internet service providers in Nicaragua and between them they have coverage over most of Nicaragua.  The Atlantic coast is where internet service availability may be sporadic or non existent. Otherwise, internet connections are fast and reliable.  It all depends on the service  you choose to contract from the provider. Most internet service providers will offer corporate and residential services.  Among them: Claro, IBW, Ideay, Amnet, Movistar.

Owning a car in Coronado, Panama, is a necessity.  If you have chosen to live in one of the condo towers or a house near the beach, it is a good idea to have your own transport.  The grocery stores and retail area as well as all of the services are near the entrance to Coronado at the highway.  In Panama's heat, this is too far to walk.  

 

There are taxis at the shopping area, but we hear comments all the time that even with a phone call it is...

Owning a car in Coronado, Panama, is a necessity.  If you have chosen to live in one of the condo towers or a house near the beach, it is a good idea to have your own transport.  The grocery stores and retail area as well as all of the services are near the entrance to Coronado at the highway.  In Panama's heat, this is too far to walk.  

 

There are taxis at the shopping area, but we hear comments all the time that even with a phone call it is difficult to get a taxi to one of the condo towers.    

 

There are a couple of restaurants within walking distance of Coronado Bay and one little supermercado (market), but there is not anything within walking distance of either Coronado Golf or the Coronado Country Club towers.

The obvious answer to this one is, of course, that the reason that Portugal has one of the largest maritime zones in the world is that its outer fringes are bordered by the archipelago of Madeira, comprised of Madeira and Porto Santo, and the archipelago of the Azores, which are strategically located in the mid-Atlantic (the US has had a military base at Lages for many years, although its presence has recently reduced to much concern of the local population). Portugal's highest...

The obvious answer to this one is, of course, that the reason that Portugal has one of the largest maritime zones in the world is that its outer fringes are bordered by the archipelago of Madeira, comprised of Madeira and Porto Santo, and the archipelago of the Azores, which are strategically located in the mid-Atlantic (the US has had a military base at Lages for many years, although its presence has recently reduced to much concern of the local population). Portugal's highest mountain, Pico, is in the Azores.

 

Depending on where you are from, the word "apartment" can mean something different to everyone. Where I'm from originally in the U.S., apartments are typically 3-story buildings with vinyl/brick exteriors. The walls are very thin and noise from neighbors is something you live with. In other places in the U.S., apartments are sometimes in high-rise buildings. It's different everywhere. So when you ask about apartments in Belize, there really aren't any as you probably know...

Depending on where you are from, the word "apartment" can mean something different to everyone. Where I'm from originally in the U.S., apartments are typically 3-story buildings with vinyl/brick exteriors. The walls are very thin and noise from neighbors is something you live with. In other places in the U.S., apartments are sometimes in high-rise buildings. It's different everywhere. So when you ask about apartments in Belize, there really aren't any as you probably know them.

What Belize DOES have for rent is lots of condos. Some of these are owned by developers and/or associations, but a large number are owned by separate individuals.  Again, the word "condo" means different things depending on where you are from. Before visiting Belize for the first time, I would not have considered renting a condo because of my perception of what they are where I'm from. Many of the people who plan trips to Belize to look at real estate have the same reaction before they have been there.

If you decide to rent something in Belize, there is a lot to choose from. However, most of the condos for rent are either on or near the beach. This is not a bad thing, since the majority of inquires I receive are from people who prefer living on the beach. The photo here shows a typical condo that you would be able to rent on the beach in Belize. These are generally concrete structures built to hurricane standards. Once you step inside, you can feel how well these are built. With concrete you don't really hear people walking above you or any other noise coming from other units.

The price you pay really depends on location, length of stay and time of year. You can rent something for one night, a week, 3 months or a year. It's all very negotiable. But keep in mind - if you are trying to rent something in "high season" in a beach area, the owner is giving up nightly rentals that are much higher than anything he/she could expect from a long-term renter. For this reason it can be difficult to find long-term rentals on the beach that extend through high-season. It’s not impossible, but you have to do some searching. Something that most people don’t know is that the majority of condos in Belize come completely furnished, including beautiful wood furniture made in Belize.

Once you have your feet on the ground in Belize and decide which area you are interested in, what time of year you are looking for and how long you will be there, it's much easier to find an answer to this question.